20 DUMB WWE Gimmick Changes (That We Didn't Want To Admit Were GENIUS)
2. John Cena = Vanilla Ice/Eminem
As legend has it, people heard John Cena rapping on a WWE tour and were impressed by how good he was. Then, one cosplay as Vanilla Ice during a SmackDown Halloween party later and Cena's destiny was locked in. He'd become pro wrestling's answer to bad boy rappers like Eminem.
Being honest, John's approach had a splash of Fred Durst in there too. He was a phoney hard man at times, but it saved Cena from the WWE chopping block (he apparently thought he was in line to be released) and let the guy show some actual potential. Overnight, he became more than a generic babyface in boots and tights.
Still, no-one realistically thought Cena had a chance of turning the rap game into something above midcard. It's astonishing then that JC went on to become WWE's poster boy for around a decade pre-Roman Reigns. Of course, he had to tone down the rap stuff to get there, but yes - that counts as an essential part of his growth.
Curious party trick to bonafide WWE headliner. What a rise.